Eating disorders are extremely harmful and their prevalence is increasing. . The two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In this essay, I will compare and contrast these two disorders. This trial will also evaluate the symptoms, causes, health effects, and most prevalent characteristics of people diagnosed with these two eating disorders. “Anorexia nervosa is characterized by self-starvation to avoid obesity. People with this disorder believe they are overweight, even when their bodies are grotesquely deformed from malnutrition. (Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia) Symptoms of anorexia nervosa include: heart muscle damage, heart rhythm irregularities, low blood pressure, kidney damage, kidney failure, seizures or seizures, loss of menstrual periods in the women, loss of bone density and fertility problems. (Schulherr) Anorexia nervosa presents not only physical symptoms, but also psychological symptoms. Psychological symptoms include strange behaviors, such as only eating certain foods based primarily on calorie intake. Along with strange eating rituals, anorexia nervosa impairs your ability to think clearly. (Schullherr) The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, classifies anorexia nervosa as the failure to maintain a minimum body weight. People with anorexia nervosa have a phobia of becoming obese or gaining weight. People with anorexia nervosa have a negative body image. People who suffer from anorexia nervosa are overly critical of their self-image and feel like their weight is a measure of their self-worth. (Schullherr, Eating Disorders For Dummies) These individuals often deny that they are too thin. In women, they will stop...... middle of paper ......t)In closing, both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa have serious impacts on the health and psychological well-being of the person concerned. Both of these eating disorders not only affect their physical health, but also have serious long-term psychological effects. If people suffering from either eating disorder are left untreated, the condition can harm their health. Works Cited Austin, S. Bryn et al. “Eating disorder symptoms and obesity at the intersections of gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation among U.S. high school students.” American Journal of Public Health 103.2 (2013): 16-22. Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. 6th.—. Eating disorders. 6th.Moura, Sophia Banay. “Famine Nation.” Marie Claire (United States) July 2011: 98-172. Schulherr, Susan. Eating Disorders for Dummies. 2008.—. Eating Disorders for Dummies. 2008.